Patent GB-1261387-A (GB)
Title: Voting machine
IPC: G07C13/00
Filed: 1969-08-06
Abstract: 1,261,387. Voting machines. A.V.M. CORP. 6 Aug., 1969 [31 Jan., 1969], No. 39309/69. Heading G4T. The invention relates to a voting machine including a number of voting selection mechanisms, a totalizer associated with each mechanism, a control lever operable by the voter to register a vote in the totalizers associated with a selected mechanism, a door normally closing an opening through which the totalizers are readable, and a security device which may be moved by a voting official to either first or second positions. Before voting begins, the security device is in its first position, which enables the door to be opened to check that the totalizers all read zero. The security device is then moved to its second position which prevents further opening of the door and unblocks a release linkage. This release linkage is operated by the official to unblock the control lever for each voter. According to-the invention, means are provided and are arranged to be tripped if, during the election, the security device is moved back to its first position in an attempt to open the door and thus discover the voting trend, and the tripped means will prevent the resetting of the security device to its second position to ensure that the discovery of the voting trend does not go undetected. Security device and fraud prevention.- As shown, the security device comprises a lock 164, Fig. 18, which can be operated to raise a yoke 164 from its first position (as shown) to its second position. In the position shown, a bar 156, secured to the yoke, does not prevent withdrawal of a bolt 158 securing the door 144, through which the totalizers 150, Fig. 6, can be read. A lever 166 prevents upward movement of a bar 168 and thus blocks the release linkage 175, 176, 172, 170 etc. Operation of lock 154 raises bar 156 into engagement with bolt 158 to prevent withdrawal thereof. The raising of yoke 163 also pivots lever 166 about 166A to free bar 168 and thus the release linkage. A bar 164 carried by the yoke is also raised, a notched portion 280 passing freely through an apertured member 277 because of a roller 275 holding bar 164 against the action of a spring 278. When fully raised,-the lower end of bar 164 clears the roller 275. The roller is carried by a bell crank 270, the other limb of which bears against the lower end of a bar 200. When the first voter registers his vote (described later), bar 200 is raised so that bell crank 270 is pivoted by spring 274. If now; the lock 154 is operated to return yoke 163-and bar 164 to the positions shown, roller 275 is now clear of bar 164 so that subsequent attempts to raise the yoke and bar will be prevented by notch 280 engaging member 277. Release linkage, selection mechanism and totalizer operation.-To enable the machine for the first and each subsequent voter, an official depresses a button 175, Fig. 15, which acts through the release linkage 170-182 to withdraw a stop 184 from a notch in a wheel 188. A control lever 192 can now be operated by a voter. Movement of lever 192 from the home position shown and fully to the right raises two side bars 200, 202, in which position they are held by a catch 208. Upward movement of the side bars acts through linkage (not shown) to lower ladders 236 which, in turn, rotates totalizer actuators 138 so that they can accept a vote cast. At the end of their upward movement, the side bars trip catches (212, 214, Fig. 5) to release a bar 216 from its held-down position shown in Figs. 6 and 7. This permits any one of a number of straps 220 to be raised and thus permits any one of the voting selection mechanisms 116-132 to be operated to rotate a member 134 about shaft 132 (Fig. 7). Member 134 carries the upper end of its respective strap 220 and, when rotated, lifts its strap and also acts through arm 136 to shift its respective totalizer actuator into engagement with the totalizer drive pinion (not shown) for the recording of one vote in this totalizer later in the voting cycle. The lifting of the strap 220 acts on an interlock mechanism 241 to prevent the lifting of any other strap and, thus, the operation of any other voting selection mechanism. The lifting of strap 220 also acts through linkage (not shown) to disengage the catch 208 to permit return of the lever 192 to its home position. Such return movement lowers the side bars 200, 202, which raises ladders 236 to rotate actuators 138 and thus record a vote in the totalizer whose actuator was shifted into engagement with the drive pinion. Bar 216 is depressed and held down by catches to once again lock all the selecting mechanisms. On reaching its home position, lever 192 is again locked by stop 184 and button 175 has again to be depressed before the next person can vote. Electric lights 416 are illuminated whenever their respective selection mechanisms are operated. Instead of the election official having to depress button 175 to begin each voting cycle, the release linkage may be movable by a solenoid, in which case a number of voting machines may be controlled from a central console.